Richard Garriott's EXTREME VOYAGE plays to packed houses on ZACH's Whisenhunt Stage

Austin video game designer and former ZACH Board Member, RICHARD GARRIOTT, gave two fascinating talks about his trip in to space and work on the International Space Station. As audiences arrived he personally greeted them, answering questions about items that were on display from his personal collection. Then, they were treated to a two hour presentation of his accounts of space travel including never before seen video. An audience Q&A rounded out the evening answering such questions as "is it cold or hot in space?" and "what happens when you strike a match in space?" Children and adults alike were enthralled and one patron remarked ... "I just love the variety you get at ZACH Theatre!"



Richard Garriott describes some hidden features of a NASA space suit from his personal collection!

Richard with Miles MacLaughlin, son of Elaine and Brian MacLaughlin. Miles gave Richard a drawing he made of a spaceship getting "ready for take-off" which Richard took in to space. Here Richard is giving the "space blessed" drawing back to Miles and Miles is exchanging it for a new drawing for Richard.
























Future Astronaut, Miles MacLaughlin, proudly stands next to Richard's space suit.

Richard shares personal stories of his space travels with audience members upon arrival.




Richard amidst a packed house at ZACH's Whisenhunt Stage.

BEEHIVE Thrills Packed Houses Opening Weekend! Farewell Performance Run Begins!

It’s here! The biggest musical hit in ZACH’s 75-year history opened this weekend for its Farewell Performance run. This performance will absolutely be the final opportunity to enjoy ZACH’s original BEEHIVE cast members Rebecca Schoolar, Laura Benedict, Judy Arnold and Andra Mitrovich in the show that made ZACH history. New to the cast this season are Amani Dorn and Noellia Hernandez, familiar to audiences from their roles in ZACH’s recent productions of SEUSSICAL and CAROLINE, OR CHANGE. All of these ladies ignite the stage with performances that will have you cheering throughout the show.

Directed by Dave Steakley, BEEHIVE opened on New Year’s Eve 1992-93, and became an instant hit. I remember audiences pouring out of the theatre on their way to ZACH’s post-show New Year’s Eve party so jazzed that they said “let’s do that again!” The production quite simply blew their socks off. It certainly set the tone for a raucous party that night and for an exciting decade and a half to come for musical theatre at ZACH.

BEEHIVE is a heartfelt tribute to the girl groups and individual artists who skyrocketed to fame between the years 1960-1969: The Shirelles, The Supremes, Connie Francis, Brenda Lee, Lesley Gore, Aretha Franklin, Petula Clark, Dusty Springfield, Tina Turner, and Janis Joplin. ZACH’s amazing cast of singers – who raise-the-roof with one chart topping hit after another – has made BEEHIVE an enduring favorite with audiences for over 16 years!

And, you’re in for a treat. Dave Steakley, the cast, and creative team have done it again. The 2009 edition of BEEHIVE is more fun than ever! With period-perfect choreography, stellar voices, a rockin’ band, and those “higher the hair, closer to God” wigs by Willa Kaye Warren, BEEHIVE delivers an experience that will have you saying “let’s do that again!”

And, it seems the word is out, because performances are already filling up. It’s probably best not to wait if you want to get good seats. There are only 18 performances in the run. And, many folks are coming in groups to party together, – yeah, it’s that kind of show. So come – bring your spouse, date, partner and friends. ZACH offers discounts for groups of just 8 or more. BEEHIVE is tremendous fun and will get your 2009 to a great start. Don’t forget to tell your friends so they can share in the fun too!

If you attended opening weekend, please share your experience!

We are also having a ZACH Theatre TweetUp this Wednesday, January 21 at Paggi House from 5-7pm. Several of the BEEHIVE cast will be there, and a few other ZACH staff. We’d love to meet you – so come on out and say hi!

– Jim Reynolds, ZACH Marketing Director
photo by Kirk R. Tuck